I just realized that my definition of a "long chapter" is different from everyone else's. Anyway, I began this chapter weeks ago when I last published Ch. 14 but I lost some inspiration midway and I wanted it to be perfect. It would've been posted long ago but I re-edited it multiple times and I still feel like it needs a few improvements. Please leave some suggestions in your reviews. Thank you and enjoy...

Chapter Fifteen: Another Tree Fallen

It was dark when they arrived at their house. Adam and Norma hastened to free Marilyn from the car's trunk as soon as they stopped in the driveway. They were thankful for the darkness, for anyone who would've seen them would've recognized Marilyn or thought they had committed a crime.

Marilyn looked dead when they saw her. Norma quickly shook her and poured some water on her head to wake her up. Marilyn gasped for air, as if she just discovered she needed it to live and had never breathed before. It took her a while to gain back her consciousness and Norma gently wiped her face with a handkerchief.

The air was, of course, of no good quality. But to Marilyn, it felt like like the best she had ever inhaled. The night was a little cold and what she just went through left her a little traumatized but she had to be strong. Her mind had to be strong for when she heard whatever news awaited her once she stepped through the door of the house. There was little time to waste.

Adam supported her while Norma kept watch and opened the door. They carefully entered to the quiet environment. There was not a sound. Everything was placid and silent. It gave Marilyn goosebumps.

"Mary!" called Norma. "We're here!" But there was no response.

Suddenly, Marilyn's mother appeared slowly walking down the stairs. Her hand was clutched to her chest and her cheeks had the marks of dried tears. When she saw Marilyn, fresh drops ran down the paths of the old ones.

"Mom?" said Marilyn quietly. Her question, though it was one monosyllable of a word, conveyed many in one. Mom, are you okay? Mom, can I hug you? Mom, where is dad?

Marilyn's mother stretched out her arms and Marilyn lovingly embraced her. She felt her tears fall into her hair. It weighted her more than a teardrop should.

"Marilyn, I'm so glad you are okay." Her voice sounded old and choked, more than you can ever imagine. She tenderly placed her forhead on Marilyn's and whispered things indecipherable to her. Her mother was hurt, Marilyn knew it. She knew that her poor mother would die if she ever parted from her again. Marilyn had to stay with her more than ever, to love her and take care of her. She couldn't leave her. Not now. Not ever.

"Take me to dad," Marilyn whispered, so that only her mother could hear her and she nodded.

Marilyn's mother placed the fingertips of one hand to her lips while her other hand held Marilyn's. Marilyn tried to stop her trembling hand. She had to be strong.

As they came near, Marilyn could hear a feeble croaking sound. Everything in the house was dark. The only light was from a candle in the room where Marilyn's father was. And it seemed to die away to the sound of the croaking.

"Father," Marilyn knelt by her dad, "how are you?".

He seemed to smile with his eyes. He parted his lips as if he made an effort to speak but Marilyn stopped him.

"We will call a doctor to come see you," Marilyn said and he shook his head, obviously worried of what will happen to her if any one found out she was here.

"It's worth the risk, father." She took his hand and kissed it then put it to her cheek. She signaled Norma to call the doctor and she gladly obeyed.

The doctor arrived an hour later. Adam and Norma advice Marilyn to hide in the closet but she refused. She wanted to be there for him, even if her life was at stake.

The doctor was shocked to see her there, but his patient was in a critical situation. It gave Marilyn hope to see that there was still people in this town who would put aside whatever hatred or enmity there was to save someone's life.

"He suffers from asthma," her mother informed the doctor when he pulled her aside to ask her questions about her husband.

"How long have you and your family been living here?" he asked.

"About a year," she responded. "But he was raised here."

"Does anyone else in the family suffer of the same condition?"

"His father and our children,"

"You have to get them out of here miss," he said. "It is not safe for them."

"Can you do anything for him?" He shook his head.

The doctor knew there was nothing he could do. Marilyn and her mother saw it in his eyes. All there was was hope.

When the doctor left, Marilyn wanted to be left alone with her father.

"Marilyn," he said with a weak raspy voice .

"Yes father?" she answered as she wiped the sweat on his brow with a damp cloth.

"I need to tell you before is too late," he said.

"What is it?" she searched his eyes.

"It is about forgiveness," he cupped her face so that she could gaze at him firmly, "and kindness."

She looked down, away from him.

"You must forgive and be kind," he continued. "If there are problems in this world is because people have forgotten to forgive and be kind. If there are problems in this town is because they have forgotten too."

She looked up at him again, holding back her tears.

"Listen to your heart," he pointed a finger and her chest and kept it there. "Love can redeem many. Your love redeemed him from the burden of his actions."

The dreaded tears took their course down her cheeks but she was still strong enough to beheld him.

"Forgive him," he said these words as if they carried all the wisdom he accumulated throughout his life. "He needs that from you more than he needs it from me or anyone else in town."

"You will be okay," she said, pleading against all reason. He shook his head and delicately laid back.

"If someone like you cares a whole awful lot about him," he said "everything will get better. I know."

"I can't," she placed her head on his chest to listen to his heart beat slowly. "Why me?"

"He gave his heart to you," he said closing his eyes. "You alone can heal it. Save him from his solitude. You are the last light of hope to his darkness."

"I love you, dad," she said, her head pinned against his chest, unmovable.

"I love you too, Marilyn my girl," he said quietly. "My little girl."

His heartbeat stopped. Leaving behind no yesterday and no tomorrow.

"Every parting is a foretaste of death,

and every reunion a foretaste of resurrection."

- Arthur Schopenhauer

I feel like this needs some clarifications: Marilyn's father suffers from asthma. Because of the polluted air, his health was failing and became worse when he heard the news of what happened to Marilyn in Thneedville. Marilyn and her family suffer from it too.

What do you think of this chapter?